"These will be crucial months" - 23-year-old Mees Hendrikx concerned professional career may already be nearing end

23-year-old Mees Hendrikx has been a regular presence over this cyclocross winter for Crelan-Corendon, competing at no fewer than eight UCI World Cup races. Despite this, his future in the sport is in doubt.

"My contract normally expires on February 28. So on paper, I have only been a professional for two months. And at the time of speaking, I have no prospect of a new contract yet, so it is a big question mark whether I will still be a professional after March 1. That uncertainty really sucks," he explains in an open and honest conversation with In de Leiderstrui.

Hendrikx is not the only one going through this kind of situation at the moment either as Ryan Kamp has been forced to go into business for himself in order to keep competing. "When you see how things went with Ryan, you realize how difficult it actually is," Hendrikx says, comparing their situations. "Ryan is an incredible talent and has had incredible difficulty finding a new employer. For me, this means that there is a very good chance that I will retire as a professional from March 1. That chance is certainly there."

"Finding a bicycle, a shirt and pants somewhere is of course not that difficult, but at the end of the month all costs have to be paid again, which makes it a lot more difficult," he concludes concernedly. "Going back to college is also an option that I will have to look into. There are also some thoughts floating around in my head in case cycling really doesn't work out at all anymore. Am I going to work again or do I want something else? So I have a lot on my mind at the moment. It is anything but an easy period. These will be crucial months."